Construction (Aviation) Engineer / Manager - Airfield Infrastructure

TKDA•Bloomington, MN

3d•Onsite

About The Position

TKDA is hiring a Construction Engineer for its Aviation team to support airport construction projects in Minnesota and across the United States. The role focuses on aviation construction management and field engineering, overseeing work at Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport, general aviation airports throughout greater Minnesota, and commercial airports nationwide. Projects may include runways, taxiways, aprons, utilities, roadways, NAVAIDS, fueling facilities, and security enhancements. The position is primarily field-based and requires frequent travel to active airport construction sites, with travel of up to 75% and occasional overnight work during the primary construction season. The Construction Engineer ensures day-to-day construction activities align with plans and specifications, and works with contractors and airport or airline representatives to address construction issues and maintain quality, code compliance, schedule, and budget. On-site work includes attending pre-construction and progress meetings; providing technical and safety representation; preparing and presenting status reports; negotiating change orders; identifying and helping resolve construction and design challenges; specifying materials and coordinating testing; conducting surveys; measuring quantities for payment; documenting activities through logs and photographs; and assisting or guiding construction inspectors. Office responsibilities include assisting with proposals, estimating project budgets and schedules, and conducting constructability reviews. The role requires a related bachelor's degree and up to five years of progressive transportation or municipal construction management experience. Candidates must be able to work outdoors year-round near active airport operations, occasionally work overnight, carry up to 50 pounds across rough terrain, and stand for extended periods. Permanent U.S. work authorization without current or future employer sponsorship is required. The listed starting base salary range for candidates with 0–5 years of related experience is $73,600–$81,800; compensation may vary based on experience, qualifications, and responsibilities. Employment is contingent on completing required pre-employment and aviation-related background and security screenings.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Construction Engineering, Civil Engineering, or a closely related infrastructure-focused discipline.
Recent graduate or experienced professional with up to five years of progressive transportation or municipal construction management experience.
Strong working knowledge of construction methods and practices and preparation and assembly of construction documentation.
Ability to accurately interpret and verify engineering specifications and construction plans against construction operations and requirements.
Strong interpersonal skills and effective verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to participate in and lead discussions during plan reviews, progress meetings, project team meetings, and site observations.
Basic working knowledge of AutoCAD or Civil 3D.
Working knowledge of MS Office applications such as Word, Excel, and Outlook.
Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
Ability to travel up to 75% for site inspections and observations; overnight travel may be required.
Valid driver's license with a clean driving record.
Ability to work outdoors year-round on active construction sites near active airport operations.
Ability to work overnight hours occasionally during the primary construction season (April–October).
Ability to carry up to 50 pounds across rough terrain and stand for extended periods.
Authorization to work permanently in the United States without current or future employer sponsorship.
Must complete and pass background and security requests required by state and/or federal agencies responsible for aviation operations.

Nice To Haves

Experience supporting airport construction, runway rehabilitation, taxiway reconstruction, utility improvements, or other heavy civil infrastructure projects.
FAA-licensed drone pilot.
Experience conducting engineering, as-built, and topographic surveys for transportation, utility design, or similar infrastructure projects.
Working knowledge of total stations, GPS, and data collectors.
Experience processing survey field data to develop background AutoCAD drawings.
Valid Construction Site Management, Erosion & Sediment Control, or Concrete Inspection certifications.

Responsibilities

Oversee construction operations at airports and ensure daily activities conform to plans and specifications.
Coordinate with contractors and airport or airline representatives to review construction issues and inspect work against quality standards and code requirements.
Help keep projects on schedule and within budget while minimizing change orders.
Attend pre-construction and progress meetings and provide routine on-site technical and safety representation.
Prepare and present project status reports.
Negotiate change orders and identify and help resolve construction- and design-related challenges.
Determine material specifications and coordinate material testing.
Conduct surveys and measure quantities for payment.
Log and photograph observations and construction activities.
Assist or provide guidance to construction inspectors.
Assist with proposal development and estimate project budgets and schedules.
Conduct constructability reviews of project plans.